David ‘Bumble’ Lloyd set to leave the Sky Sports cricket team after 22 years with popular pundit saying the commentary box ‘felt emptier’ after departures of David Gower, Ian Botham and Michael Holding
- David ‘Bumble’ Lloyd leaving Sky Sports’ cricket coverage after 22 years
- Former England player and coach was a popular member of commentary team
- ‘Bumble’ covered England Test and one-day matches after joining in 1999
- He was a big part of Sky’s coverage of Twenty20 cricket when the format started
- Lloyd, 74, admitted the commentary box ‘felt emptier’ after friends departed
- He apologised after Azeem Rafiq accused him of making racist remarks
David ‘Bumble’ Lloyd is leaving the Sky Sports commentary team after 22 years.
The former England player, umpire, coach and Sportsmail columnist, 74, has been a popular part of Sky’s coverage of all formats of the game for over two decades.
Lloyd became a regular fixture in the Sky commentary box for England Test and one-day matches in 1999 but gained great popularity with the launch of Twenty20 cricket.
David ‘Bumble’ Lloyd is leaving the Sky Sports cricket commentary team after 22 years
The former England player and coach turned pundit has been a popular part of the Sky commentary team for over two decades
He would lead the Edgbaston crowd in singing the Neil Diamond classic Sweet Caroline at T20 Finals Day and would have viewers in stitches when interacting with members of the crowd through radio earpieces.
In a statement, Lloyd said: ‘After 22 wonderful years with Sky Cricket, I’ve decided the time is now right to pass on the microphone.
‘It’s been an immense privilege to try and bring the sport I love into people’s homes up and down the country.
‘There are so many wonderful memories, so many terrific games and incredible performances.
Lloyd shares a joke with fellow Lancastrian James Anderson in Sri Lanka back in 2018
On air with Ian Ward and Nasser Hussain ahead of the Test with New Zealand in 2015
‘I’ve been lucky to travel the world sharing Ashes highs and lows, World Cup wins and losses, heroics and heartaches with you all.
‘Sharing a commentary box in Australia in 2013 with my broadcasting hero Bill Lawry was a real highlight.
‘It has been a great pleasure to work alongside Ian Bishop, Ravi Shastri, Shane Warne, Shaun Pollock and Ian Smith among many others.
‘With the passing of Bob Willis and after the decision to move on by my good friends David Gower, Ian Botham and, more recently, Michael Holding, the commentary box feels a little emptier.
Lloyd admitted the commentary box ‘felt emptier’ after the passing of Bob Willis (left) and the departure from Sky of David Gower (right)
Michael Holding (left) and Sir Ian Botham (right) had also left the Sky Sports team
‘And so I feel it is time for me to do the same and move on to the next chapter.
‘I leave the Sky box now in immensely capable hands led by my pals Michael Atherton, Nasser Hussain, Ian Ward and Rob Key.
‘To those that follow, cherish that mic. Inform and entertain, so the next generation can fall in love with this wonderful game.
‘I’m done now with Sweet Caroline but in the words of Elton John, ‘I’m still standing!’
Lloyd last month apologised to the former Yorkshire player Azeem Rafiq after being accused of making racist comments.
Rafiq said Lloyd attempted to smear him in an effort to suppress allegations of racism at Yorkshire County Cricket Club.
Sky conducted an investigation into the comments attributed to Lloyd, which were made by Rafiq at his DCMS hearing in Westminster.
Former Yorkshire cricketer Azeen Rafiq accused Lloyd of racist comments during his appearance before the DCMS committee in Westminster